OBSERVER: The Enormous Radio, at Newport
This performance is actually by radios, not humans. They take a back seat as we found out during the opening VIP night at Chamber Made’s The Enormous Radio by Roslyn Oades and Bob Scott hitting the airwaves to a throng of humans at The Substation in Newport.
To understand, best I use a piece from their explanatory notes before my overview.
“This documentary-inspired experience explores the possibility of communicating with the non-human world.
“Drawing on Australian wildlife field recordings, spatialised sound, translation software and techno—spiritualism, it imagines an interconnected machine capable of seeking, receiving, translating and transmitting messages from wild animals.”
There are two groups of humans who would benefit from this installation – those who are ardent collectors of Vintage Radios and those who are dedicated animal lovers with concern of the endangerment of our wildlife, but let us not exclude the general community.
How was it done? With an installation of some 80 and more radio sets, all sizes and shapes, mantle-top models, larger cabinet style units with casings made of wood, metal, bakelite and plastic in all colours.
Models dating back to the 40s 50s and 60s like that illustrated, arranged on an industrial-style shelving in a circle with the radios facing inwards, and some seating in the centre core of the circle for humans to sit and listen to the 45 minutes of six wildlife sound transmissions.
Let me say it was engaging and well-coordinated as all dials of the radios lit at the same time, fluctuating in intensity, to the level of music and animal sounds.
Without revealing all, we had sounds of the calls of the Tasmanian Devils, the Pobble-bonk Frogs, Red-tailed Black Cockatoos, Blue Whales, Dingoes and the ever popular Boobook Owl.
There was a lot more to the installation and as it is unique you should make time to be part of the experience.
The Substation has done it again with a great theatrical experience but this time without a human on stage.
Venue: The Substation, 1 Market St, Newport
Season: Until October 10
Information and Bookings: thesubstation.org.au
Review by Graeme McCoubrie
Pictured: The Enormous Radio Creative Development, Kevan Atkins and Roslyn Oades.
Image by Sarah Walker.

